My cat is acting strange. What are the symptoms of dry FIP to look for?

Hi and thanks for posting. Oh dear I am so sorry to hear this. FIP sadly has no cure and the fluid that builds up in the abdomen is uncomfortable and painful. Cats that are diagnosed with the wet form of FIP usually do not have long. Steroids can be prescribed to help control symptoms temporarily. If Luje is not eating or drinking and is becoming lethargic or weak, it may be time for him. I hope this helps and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

I understand you are concerned about FIP. The reality is, if you don't have money for a veterinary visit (and in many cases even if you did), FIP is typically fatal and untreatable. The best thing you can do is separate your sick cat from your healthy one and see how things transpire over the course of the next few days. Typically, cats with FIP, regardless of the form, will be inappetant and not wanting to eat anything at all. The worst form of it will cause massive fluid buiid up in the chest / abdomen and result in difficulty breathing. The other form typically produce clinical signs that are both ophthalmic and/or neurologic, plus several other non specific clinical signs (a couple of which include what you are descrbing). Overall, FIP would not be near the top of my list. I would definitely make sure all three cats have been tested for leukemia and AIDS however in order to rule both of these life-threatening conditions. While not as rapidly fatal as FIP, both conditions can carry poor long term prognosis. It sounds like the one cat with a fever and swollen belly might benefit from pain management and a recheck for the presence of worms. While dietary indiscretion could be an issue, it is not likely to cause a fever unless an infectious organism was present in the food. Hope this is more helpful than my previous response.

I'm sorry to here that Rose isn't feeling well. While FIP often starts out with non-specific signs as you are describing, (decreased appetite, weight loss), stiffness and change in gait or lameness, are not common symptoms. I cannot tell you there is no way its FIP, because it is possible, but try not to jump straight to that conclusion. if your appointment is not within the next day, you may call and see if they can see her as a work-in appointment, or consider taking her to an emergency vet. The vet will do a thorough exam, and may recommend some lab tests (which would be important to obtain if FIP is a concern), and may recommend some X-rays as well if lameness, pain, or stiffness in the back legs is a problem. Here is some more information on FIP. https://www.petcoach.co/article/feline-infectious-peritonitis-fip-in-cats-kittens/ Again, get Rose seen by a vet in the next day if at all possible, but try not to worry that its something awful! Just take it one step at a time and the vet can walk you through his or her impressions as to what should be done to find a diagnosis for her and to treat her appropriately. Thanks for asking PetCoach!

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! FIP is hard to diagnose. It is usually a diagnosis of exclusion, meaning all other diseases have been ruled out. The most accurate test is PCR of belly or chest fluid when the cat has the wet or effusive form of FIP. There is also the Dry or granulomatous form which likes the brain and eye. A simple blood test is riddled with false negatives and positives. Simple put a cat positive for coronavirus doesn't mean it has the mutated viral form that causes FIP. Unfortunately Mia's eye problem could be from FIP, but also many other things and sadly there is no 100% way to tell you that. FIP is not curable, it is a terrible disease. If Mia is doing well then I'd take that. And see if anything happens in the future. I hope this helps and I wish Mia the best!

A bloated belly and signs of upper respiratory infection in a cat that later passed away sound like a potential FIP (Feline infectious peritonitis) infection, which is caused by a coronavirus. This is a very contagious disease that can cause death in cats very quickly and it has several forms of the disease including a "dry" non-effusive form and a "wet" effusive form, with varying outcomes depending on the pets current health status. Your kitties need to be seen by your local vet asap for testing and supportive care treatment. Their outcome depends on what form of FIP they have, if they have any other concurrent illnesses (i.e. Feline leukemia virus) and how quickly they are treated. Other possibilities is a toxicity, or other infectious disease. I hope your fur babies get treated right away and can recover.

Poor Little Bit! In a young cat an infectious disease would have to be high on the list. I would be suspicious that she could have the dry form of FIP, eventhough the bloodwork is not showing typical changes that usually occur with the disease. Unfortunately, FIP is difficult to diagnose but you could ask your vet about doing an xray and ultrasound of her abdomen to look for changes. Hope she feels better soon!

Hi and thank you for your question on Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! The blood results are in German so it is hard to interpret. There are two types of the feline corona virus: the enteric version and the mutated enteric version which causes FIP. A FIP diagnosis requires a blood test, clinical signs/symptoms and a history. If fluid is present in the abdomen, testing that fluids for the virus will indicate FIP. Just becomes Hadid has antibodies against the corona virus, does not mean he has FIP. All is means is he has been exposed to the virus and developed antibodies. Blood results together with Hadid's history will help determine diagnosis. It is great news Hadid is eating and has no fever. This is a good sign Hadid is heading the right direction. I hope this has helped!